The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1887-09-15
MINNESOTA NEWS.
Minnesota State Prison Investigation.

Al@D0SOt2 St4t0 kflA00 l0VeSC1H9t100s
The State Prison Inspectors, with men,
bers Of the State Board of Correction and
Charities, recently began at Saltwater an
investigation of certain charges against
ex-Warden Reed. After hearing testimony
against Mr.. Reed the hearing was adjourned
to Sept. IS. to permit the defendant to get
certain witnesses and prepare for further
defense.
The charges, in substance, as made and
presented by Warden Stordock are: Selling
large quantities of lard and grease and
same paying cigar bills by having the
same charged to Tobacco Fund.-" with
holding money from prisoners; mis-
appropriating money OF convicts;
making collections OF money from
convicts and keeping it; allowing F. C. Cut
Ter merchant tailor) to make freedom
suits and taking large commission.
taking $50 from Andrew Johnson, against
his consent. Also a charge OF criminal in
tercourse with n female inmate OF the pris.
on. The witnesses against the ex-warden
we're Charles Huntser, colored, who MUIR
dered his mistress, George McNeal.
Mrs. McNeal. Mary Weishart and
Azilda Beaudry. from Canada, in prison
for life for killing her husband. said she
had intercourse with Reed in October and
his room. Mrs. McNeal, matron of the
prison, George McNeal, the hall guard and
Charles Hunster, an ex.prisoner, related
circumstances sustaining Mrs. Baudry's
testimony.
L. p. Beardsley testified that he had pur.
chased taIlow, etc., from the prison, which
1t IL claimed was never accounted for to
the state. Hugh Mckenzie, ex-convict
testified that he was a helper in the cook
room and that supplies were taken there
to Warden Reeds house. Michael Gil
Leslie testified that he had hauled bar.
rel OF sugar from the depot to Reed g house.
j. NJ. Conrad, who furn ished tobacco for
the prison. said that twice there was
shortage OF caddys OF tea, which was made
up in cigars. There was some other testi-
monI OF the same sort.
Warden Stordock, the present warden,
said he made the charges against Mr. Reed
and that were abstracts of statements
made to him by various parties. He said
he found that his predecessor had Just
about got his entire living out OF the pris.
on stores; also that others not entitled
to it were getting their living, in whole
or in part, out OF the state That some
twenty-five keys to tho prison run in
the hands OF parties not entitled to have
them; that Reed had sent his check for
$l11.5O, on being informed that a memo
randum had been made OF articles taken 10
his house. MIR: Stordock detailed at
length his various talks with Col.
Hicks and the other members of
the board OF inspectors to show
how the present investigation was brought
about, and his motive in taking the part
he had in it. Col Hicks investigated the
matter with him and finally made his own
report OF the investigation to Gov. McGill.
This report and the request OF the board
OF inspectors led the governor to the ap-
pointment OF the present investigating
committee. He described at. great
length various other irregularities
which took place under Reeds administra-
ton. Stordocks cross examination was
almost entirely devoted to trying to show
that Warden Stordcck was entirely insti-
gated by vindictive feelings.
Capt. j. A. Reed, ex-warden, testified
"Have heard the testimony of Azilda
Baudry, and nevar had any improper re-
lations with her. SD help me God. Neither
have | had such relations with Mary Walsh
er or any other CONVICT Mr.. Reed abso-
lutely denied or fully explained all the 9TH
er charges, showing the motives Of some OF
the convicts, &c. Mrs. Reed, wife of the
ex-warden, denied in the most positive
manner the use OF any supplies belonging
to the state, without pay, or exchange.
The testimony thus far heard is full OF
details, but shows the substance on both
sides. When the defense is heard on the
10th, there will be more OF the case.